Research reveals pocket money divide

Children face a North-South divide in the pocket money stakes, and those from less well-off households get more than children with wealthier parents, a report claimed today.

Seven to 10 year olds living in the North of England and Scotland get an average £3 a week, while those in the South get £2.67, according to market analyst Mintel.

Around 13 per cent of children in the North get £5 a week or more, while only nine per cent who live south of the Midlands get that much. Meanwhile, 17 per cent of southern children get less than £1 a week, compared with 12 per cent in the North.

The divide is also evident among children aged 11 to 14, with those in the North receiving an average of £6.67 - 28p a week more than their southern counterparts.

Children aged seven to 10 in the North also get an average of £129 a year through gifts from parents, £4 more than those in the South, while the older age group in the North get an average of £17 more.

The research also found that parents on lower incomes are more generous to their children than more affluent parents. Seven to 10-year-olds from a family in the C2DE socio-economic group get an average £2.97 pocket money a week and £127 a year as presents, while ABC1 children get £2.55 a week and around £120 a year.

The gap narrows slightly among the older age group, with those from less well-off households getting an average £6.67 a week, while those from better-off homes get £6.26.

Around 16 per cent of seven to 10-year-olds claimed their parents bought them everything they wanted, rising to 20 per cent among children from less well-off families. One in three said they spent money without thinking and a similar proportion admitted they were no good at saving.

The discipline of saving also appears to become more difficult as children get older. Forty-six per cent aged between 11 and 16 claimed they found it difficult, and a similar number said they spent their cash without thinking.

Mintel estimates that pocket money will grow by around 15 per cent between now and 2006 to reach an average £7.73 a week, giving children a collective annual spending power of more than £3 billion.

'It's not fair - they should get same'

Kate Paolozzi, eight, from Whitley Bay, North Tyneside: £3 a week

Kate said: "I think I should get lots more because I am good and tidy my room all the time. It's not fair that children in the South get less, they should be given the same as us." She spends most of her money on magazines but always makes sure she has some for sweets. Her mother Christine, 41, an office manager, said: "I think £3 is fair, it covers the price of a magazine and sweets, which at eight is all they need. I think parents in the South should give them a bit extra. "People in the South get paid more and things are more expensive to buy there, so it seems a bit unfair. It seems a bit strange that children from poorer families get more than affluent families."

'I don't think I'm losing out'

Danny Attwater, nine, from East Malling, Kent: £2 a week

Danny said: "I spend most of the money my mum gives me on sweets and crisps, but sometimes I save it up and buy toys." His mother Debbie, 34, a housewife, said: "When I was his age I only got a pound, but he does do a bit of work for his money, tidying his room and cleaning the garden." Danny thinks this is a good deal: "I don't have to do too much work for my pocket money and I think it is quite fair. All my friends get the same sort of amount so I don't think I'm losing out." On the fact children in the South get less pocket money than in the North, Debbie said: "Considering the South is supposed to be richer than the North, I am quite surprised."